Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.: The DTI for this program is 65.7%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $42187) to the average debt ($27703) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 65.7%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($42187) against the typical student debt ($27703), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $42187, and the average student debt is $27703, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.66—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 3432 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (CIP 15.1299) is a specialized category for advanced hardware-software integration specialists who work on the frontiers of computing. While a standard computer technician might focus on repairing laptops or managing local servers, professionals in this "Other" category manage the technical infrastructure of supercomputers, edge computing devices, quantum testbeds, and custom embedded systems. It is a path for "digital architects" who want to master the physical components of the digital world and ensure that hardware is perfectly tuned to run the most demanding software applications.
This field is ideal for "technical hybrids"—individuals who are just as comfortable with a soldering iron as they are with a command-line interface, and who enjoy the challenge of making "smart" devices work in real-world environments.
What Is an "Other" Computer Engineering Technology Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied STEM path that emphasizes hardware-level programming, systems diagnostics, and digital infrastructure. You will study the physics of semiconductors and the logic of microprocessors, but your focus will be on practical implementation and maintenance. Because this code often houses niche specialties, your studies might focus on Cyber-Physical Systems, Advanced Network Security Hardware, or Internet of Things (IoT) Device Development. It prepares you to be the expert who bridges the gap between software developers and electrical engineers.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Embedded Systems Technicians" who program the tiny computers inside cars, appliances, and medical tools
- Develop experts in Hardware Security, focusing on protecting the physical components of a network from tampering
- Prepare professionals for Cloud Infrastructure Support, maintaining the massive server arrays that power the modern web
- Study Advanced Interface Technology, connecting human-input devices with high-speed computing power
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that software doesn't live in a vacuum; it requires optimized, reliable hardware to function. You will learn how to analyze the "interaction layer" between the two.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Digital Logic and Circuit Design—understanding how logic gates create the foundation of computing
- Use "Hardware Description Languages" (like Verilog or VHDL) to design custom chips
- Design Embedded Controllers using microcontrollers like ARM, AVR, or RISC-V
- Perform Hardware-Level Debugging—using logic analyzers to "see" data moving through physical wires
- Utilize Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) to ensure machines react to inputs with zero delay
- Understand System-on-Chip (SoC) Architectures—how all the parts of a computer fit onto a single tiny chip
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a dense blend of electrical engineering and computer science:
- Microprocessor Interfacing: Learning how to connect "brains" to sensors, motors, and displays.
- Network Hardware Engineering: The study of high-speed routers, switches, and fiber-optic hardware.
- Operating System Internals: Understanding how software manages hardware resources like RAM and CPU time.
- Signal Integrity: Ensuring that high-speed digital signals don't get distorted by electrical noise.
- Cybersecurity Hardware: Studying the physical chips used for encryption and secure data storage.
- Mobile Computing Platforms: The engineering of low-power, high-performance hardware for portable devices.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialized technicians, systems analysts, and technical leads in the global tech sector.
Common job roles include:
- Embedded Systems Specialist: Developing and testing the hardware/software "brain" of new smart products.
- Hardware Test Engineer: Running simulations and physical tests to ensure new chips and boards don't fail.
- Systems Integration Technologist: Managing the installation of complex computing systems in industrial or government settings.
- Network Infrastructure Lead: Overseeing the physical hardware of a massive data center or corporate network.
- Field Application Engineer: Helping clients integrate a company’s specialized computer components into their own products.
- Computer Forensics Technician: Working at the hardware level to recover data and analyze security breaches.
Where Can You Work?
Computer engineering technologists are the "engineers of the digital age":
- Tech Giants: Working on the hardware for Google, Apple, Microsoft, or Nvidia.
- Automotive and Transportation: Developing the computing systems for self-driving cars and smart transit.
- Defense and Intelligence: Working on secure communication hardware and unmanned systems (drones).
- Healthcare Tech: Maintaining and designing the embedded computers inside MRI machines and robotic surgeons.
- Smart Manufacturing: Managing the "Industrial Internet of Things" (IIoT) on automated factory floors.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because these professionals possess a rare mix of hardware and software skills, their earning potential is significantly higher than general IT roles.
- Computer Engineering Technologists: Median annual salary of approximately $82,000–$108,000.
- Embedded Systems Leads: Salaries typically range from $95,000 to $135,000+.
- Hardware Security Specialists: Median annual salary of around $100,000–$145,000.
- Entry-Level Junior Technicians: Often start between $62,000 and $78,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the mental transition between physical and digital worlds. You must be proficient in Calculus and Discrete Math while also possessing high manual dexterity for working with microscopic electronics. It requires a highly analytical and precise mindset—one "loose wire" or one "wrong line of code" can cause a system to fail. It is a very demanding, lab-intensive major that rewards those who love "cracking the code" of how hardware actually thinks.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love computers but find software-only coding a bit "too abstract"
- Enjoyed building your own PC or playing with Arduino/Raspberry Pi projects
- Are fascinated by how a simple electrical pulse becomes a complex video game or an AI response
- Want a career that is at the center of the next technological revolution (IoT, Quantum, AI hardware)
- Enjoy the satisfaction of building a physical object that "comes to life" through your code
How to Prepare in High School
- Take Physics, Algebra, and Pre-Calculus; they are essential for understanding electrical signals
- Master C, C++, or Python; these are the languages used to talk to hardware
- Join a robotics or "Maker" club; practice building devices that use sensors and motors
- Get comfortable with Soldering and Basic Circuits—building a simple radio or drone is great training
- Read about RISC-V and Open-Source Hardware to see where the future of computing is headed
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor